Sign



y 4, 1939- A. R. CARDARELLI 2,164,985

SIGN

Filed Sept. 13, 1938 Inveniqr ALFRED If. fflfiDARliLL/ A iinmeys Patented July 4, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SIGN Iowa

Application September 13, 1938, Serial No. 229,748

1 Claim.

My invention relates to portable signs for use on roads, sidewalks, and the like.

The principal object of the invention is to provide an inexpensive, folding, and readily portable sign which may be quickly set up alongside, or in a road, or on a sidewalk, and which is equipped to reflect under the illumination by the headlights of an approaching automobile, to display in a striking manner a warning legend advising motorists, or pedestrians, that they are approaching a danger zone.

To the accomplishment of the above, and subordinate objects presently appearing, a preferred embodiment of my invention has been illustrated in the accompanying drawing, set forth in detail in the succeeding description and defined in the claim appended hereto.

In said drawing:

Figure 1 is a View in perspective of my improved sign unfolded, or set up.

Figure 2 is a View in top plan.

Figure 3 is a view in vertical section taken on line 3-3 of Figure 1 looking in the direction indicated by the arrows, and

Figure 4 is a View in edge elevation of the sign folded.

Referring to the drawing by numerals, the sign of my invention comprises a flat base I, preferably rectangular and of any suitable ma- ,terial, such as sheet metal, and having a rear edge provided with a bail-like central handle 2 foldable to either side of the base.

Adjacent to the front corners of the base I is a pair of hinge lugs 3 in which a rectangular frame 4 of any suitable material is mounted by means of trunnions 5 for swinging movement flat against the base I or into upright position on said base parallel with the front edge of the latter. The frame 4 has suitably secured therein a mirror 6 having a front face coated with paint 1 so as to pattern on said face a warning legend 8 of reflecting letters. a stop warning has been illustrated but the legend may be of other character as desired.

The frame 4 is adapted to be locked in upright position by a pair of toggle links 9 on each side thereof pivoted to said frame, as at l0, and to said base, as at II, said links being adapted to break upwardly and fold rearwardly.

Attached to the upper edge of the frame 4, as by a hinge 4', in the center of said edge is a strap In the present instance H! of flat metal adapted in the upright position of said frame to be swung into downwardly and rearwardly inclined position behind the frame and terminating at its other end in an eye I3 designed to secure a flashlight M with the bulb end pointing rearwardly in an upwardly and rearwardly inclined position. A coil spring l5 may be sleeved around the rear end of the flashlight I4 between the strap l2 and mirror 6 to sustain the same in such inclined position.

In the use of the described invention, the device may be set up in the street, or alongside the road, with the frame 4 and mirror 6 swung on the lugs 3 into upright position and locked in said position by the toggle links 9 with the mirror 6 facing in the direction of oncoming traffic to display the warning legend for illumination by the headlights of the automobiles. A motorist having engine, or tire trouble, may stop alongside the sign and utilize the strap [2 as a flashlight holder and under the protection of the sign. When not in use the toggle links 9 may be folded upwardly and rearwardly to swing the frame 4 and mirror 6 fiat against the base I for carrying by the handle 2, the strap I2 being swung on its hinge 4' to interpose the same between the mirror 6 and the said base I.

The foregoing will, it is believed, suflice to impart a clear understanding of the invention without further explanation.

Manifestly the invention, as described, is susceptible of modification without departing from the inventive concept and right is herein reserved to modifications falling fairly within the 'scope of the sub-joined claim.

What I claim is:

A sign of the class described comprising a flat soled base, a mirror hinged to said base adjacent one edge thereof for swinging movement in opposite directions thereon flat against the base and into upright position, respectively, and having a front face coated with paint defining a warning legend on said face, means for retaining the mirror in upright position comprising a pair of toggle links at each side of said mirror pivoted thereto and to said base, and a handle on said base at the edge thereof opposite said one edge for carrying the sign when the mirror is swung flat against said base.

ALFRED R. CARDARELLI. 

